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With six personal fouls — five for helmet-to-helmet hits — and four unnecessary roughness penalties in two games, is it time for the Bucs to reconsider the way they play on defense?

Yes, they need to be more disciplined: 79 percent

No, they shouldn't let fines or suspensions deter them: 21 percent

Total: 282 votes

By the numbers

2-5 Bucs' record against the Pat­riots

20 Receptions by New England's Julian Edelman, tied for first in the NFL with Houston's Andre Johnson.

28 Receptions by the rest of the Patriots

61.5 Combined passer rating of the first two Patriots opposing QBs (rookies EJ Manuel of the Bills and Geno Smith of the Jets)

63.0 Passer rating of the Bucs' Josh Freeman, lowest in the NFC

185 Passing yards for the Patriots' Tom Brady last week, his fewest in three years

What they're saying

Overall, this is an offense you'd think would be performing better. How these guys aren't jelling together as a unit, it makes me look at the Bucs and wonder whether there is something deeper. I think about football and how emotions are such a big part of it. Momentum is such a big part of it, believing in the guy you are playing for is a big part of it. With all this talent, I'm curious why this offense is having so much trouble producing points.

Tedy Bruschi ESPN

The Buccaneers have lost two games by a combined three points. But no matter how you dress it up, they are still 0-2.

Brian Billick Fox Sports

The picks

I don't know about Tom Brady, but I've never played Tiddlywinks and wouldn't even know how. But I do know this: The Bucs have found creative ways to lose both of their games at the last possible minute, and the Patriots have found ways to somehow squeak out two razor-thin victories. Perhaps that's the pattern both Tampa Bay and New England will follow in 2013. Patriots, 23-17.

Don Banks Sports Illustrated

The 0-2 Bucs go to New England to face a Patriots team that will have been off for 10 days. That's big. The Patriots had problems with their passing game against the Jets, but they will get it going. Tampa Bay has really struggled on offense. This could be ugly. Patriots, 23-10.

Pete Prisco CBS Sports

The Pats are 2-0 and could be 0-2. The Bucs are 0-2 and could be 2-0. But New England is the team with the franchise quarterback and the coach with enough pelts on the wall to justify antisocial behavior. Patriots, 20-10.

Mike Florio Pro Football Talk

Even in their weakened state, Patriots can handle dysfunctional Bucs. Patriots, 19-17